BEDFORD COUNTY, TN - In Bedford County, authorities have made an arrest in an ongoing Sexual Exploitation of a Minor investigation (T.C.A. 39-17-1003). The arrest came after an Internet Crimes Against Children cyber tip made its way to the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. That tip, according to the Sheriff’s Office, was in reference to alleged child pornography images.

As a result of the investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division, a man by the name of Bill Gailey II has been charged with 17 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Detectives also seized evidence from the home of the 42-year-old, after a search warrant was executed at his residence.

In taking a closer look at the charges and when detectives believe the offenses occurred, 4 of the counts were for incidents that reportedly happened between May 5th and May 20th of this year. A total of 12-counts allegedly took place between April 6th and April 23rd, while 1 allegation stemmed from evidence that dated back to August of last year.

Gailey was taken to the Bedford County Jail early Thursday morning and booked under a $200,000 bond. State law that governs bond amounts in Class D Felony cases shaped that blanket bond that accounted for all 17-counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor on Thursday. Information from the jail shows the 6' 3" suspect was released on bond 4-Hours after he was booked.

The Bedford County resident is scheduled to be in the General Sessions Courtroom of Judge Chris Rich late next month on August 23, 2023.

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